The Spurs’ report cards through 44 games

With 44 games of the Spurs season completed, it’s a perfect time to take stock of the Spurs to this point.

The second third of the regular season started on Feb. 1 with three home games before the Rodeo Road Trip. The longest road trip in franchise history was expected to be a determining point that would give a good indication of how this team would finish the season.

If so, this team might have a long playoff run looming. The Spurs pushed an existing road victory to start the stretch into an 11-game winning streak that ranks as the longest in the NBA to this point of the season. The streak only stopped when Spurs coach Gregg Popovich elected to sit starters Tony Parker and Tim Duncan for a Feb. 21 game at Portland that turned into a season-worst 137-97 loss.

The Spurs did have some struggles with three losses in the homestand following the Rodeo Road Trip, but they still finished 17-5 for one of the league’s best records over the last six weeks.

They’ve already made a roster adjustment since then, picking up Stephen Jackson for Richard Jefferson, a conditional 2012 first-round draft pick and the rights to retiring point guard T.J. Ford.

And they appear ready to add at least one more player with the anticipated arrival of point guard Patty Mills.

To this point of the season, here’s a look at how players currently on the roster have been graded. The first grade includes games from February 1 until last night.

Tim Duncan A-plus (C in first part of season) – The Delorean machine has been good for Duncan the last few games, with three double-doubles in last four games including a monster 16-point, 19-rebound game against Oklahoma City last week and a throwback 21-15 game in 24 minutes last night against Minnesota. Duncan looks fresh, spry and has even turned into a dunking machine in the last few weeks. And he’s got a 13-game streak (and 21 of his last 22) of double-figure scoring games. While it doesn’t match his production of earlier in his career, his longest double-figure scoring streak last season was seven.

Tony Parker A-plus (A-minus in first part) – With Manu Ginobili’s injury, Parker became the team’s focal point in a recent surge that powered him into an All-Star berth and even prompted serious discussion of him as a potential MVP candidate. During the second third, Parker shot 50.4 percent from the field, 80.7 percent of his free throws and averaged 22.8 points and 8.2 assists per game. Included in the surge were a 42-point game against Oklahoma City, seven 30-point games and the first of three consecutive 30-point games in his career. His hamstring injury and his recent claims of being tired are a concern as the team peaks for the playoffs, but Parker provided some of the best basketball of his career over the last few weeks.

Danny Green A-minus (A in first part) — Even after a miserable 0-for-17 slump earlier in the Rodeo Road Trip, he’s shooting much better than earlier this season. Green has rebounded as a recent offensive force to go with his consistent defensive presence. He’s been particularly productive recently, averaging 17.3 points and shooting 62.1 percent from the field and 61.5 percent from 3-point range over his last three games.

Kawhi Leonard A-minus (B+ in first part) — After a perimeter slump in early February, he appears to be shooting the ball better than at any point of the season with eight double-figure scoring games in his last 11 capped by 24-point season best in the Portland blowout. His defense still is his strong suit and he sometimes provides an adventure when leading a fast break. But his shooting has been getting better and his defense and rebounding have been at his normally strong levels.

Tiago Splitter B-plus (A in first part) — A strained calf cost him four games and set back his progress a little. His scoring and rebounding numbers are down slightly little from earlier this season, but his playing time diminished after the injury and his production-per-minute numbers are actually slightly better. His low-post passing has really picked up, topped off by career-high five assists last night against Minnesota.

Manu Ginobili B-plus (A-minus in first part) It’s been a frustrating season so far for Ginobili, who has battled back from three different injuries and is just trying to get in peak shape for the playoffs. His value has been strong coming off the bench, despite his limited time in his recent return from a hip flexor. And one encouraging note has been his recent passing with six or more assists in five of his last six games, topped by a season-high eight against Minnesota last night.

Matt Bonner B (B-minus in first part) — Bonner’s scoring and 3-point shooting have picked up over the second part of the season and his playing time has increased. But even more surprisingly, he’s developing a surprisingly lethal mid-range tear drop. His teammates might laugh at it, but it’s been effective getting him some points inside and balancing his perimeter-heavy game.

Gary Neal B (B-minus in first part) — His 3-point shooting and scoring have gone up as he’s received more playing time as he recovers from a training-camp appendectomy. He’s also been challenged to provide larger-than-expected minutes at point guard where he’s been eager and willing, but sometimes turnover-prone.

DeJuan Blair C (C in first part) — He is the only Spur to play and start in each game. After a strong early scoring start, he’s tailed off slightly and his turnovers have been rising. But he notched a huge effort last week at Oklahoma City in his strongest game to date in one of the Spurs’ best efforts of the season.

Eric Dawson C (not with the team) — The former Sam Houston standout has been with the team for a pair of 10-day contracts. While serving as Duncan’s caddy during the Portland game, showed some potential with nine points and six rebounds. Another showcase could be looming sometime this weekend during the back-to-back-to-back.

James Anderson D (C-minus in first part) – He’s having trouble getting off the bench as his shooting and playing time have diminished. Nearly 20 percent of his playing time this stretch came in the blowout loss at Portland where he played a career-high 35 minutes.

Cory Joseph D(D in first part) — He’s spent more time traveling up and down Interstate 35 joining the Toros than finding a place in the rotation. The potential arrival of Mills will likely give him the chance to build confidence by playing the rest of the season with the Toros.

Stephen Jackson Incomplete (wasn’t with team in first part): After only two games, it appears that Jackson is as comfortable as ever in the Silver and Black. He’s shown his competitive nature already as he hasn’t backed down on any defensive challenge — even Dirk Nowitzki and Kevin Love in his first two games. And he hasn’t lost his streaky but at times devastating perimeter touch that should come in handy when the playoffs arrive.

Gregg Popovich A (A-minus in first part) — Doing a masterful job of juggling the roster through injuries and the compact lockout season. And he helped pull the levers on a Jackson trade that appears to have given the team more scoring depth, versatility and excitement.